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-UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

BENJN. F. GRINNELL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

FASTENING FOR BREASTPINS, &O.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 22,645, dated January 18, 1859.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN F. GRIN- NELL, of the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Fastening for Breastpins and other Articles of Jewelry; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

My invention consists in securing the tongue or pin of a breastpin, or other article of ewelry in which a hinged tongue is used, by means of a permanent hook and a spring in combination with the hinged tongue, the spring being so bent as to direct the pin or tongue, when the latter is depressed, into the hollow of the hook, and the spring and hook being otherwise arranged, in respect to each other substantially in the manner set forth hereafter, the whole forming a fastening readily secured and detached, and one affording greater security against the loss of articles of jewelry, to which it may be applied, than fastenings of the ordinary construction.

In order to enable others to make and use my invention, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation.

On reference to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification; Figure l, is an inverted plan view of a breast pin, drawn to an enlarged scale, with my improved fastening. Figs. 2 and 3, end views, illustrating t-he different positions assumed by the retaining spring.

A is the metal frame of the breast-pin, into which is fitted a polished stone, cameo, or other ornamental device B. To one end and 011 the underside of the frame A, the pointed tongue or pin C is hinged loosely, and, on the opposite end of the frame, also to its under side, are secured the permanent rigid hook D and the bent spring E, which extends along the inside and in close proximity to the hook, the point of the spring terminating at the outer bent end of the hook.

Then the breast-pin has to be secured to the dress, the pin C (detached from its fastening) is inserted into the fabric, in the manner of ordinary breast-pins, and then pressed downwards with its end bearing on the hollow of the spring, which yields to the pressure, as seen in Fig. 3, until the pin passes the point of the hook, when it is directed into the hollow of the latter, by the inclination of the spring.

After the pressure has been removed, the spring forces the end of the pin against the hollow of the hook, where it is firmly held until the spring is again depressed, when the removal of the breast-pin from the dress is required.

It will now be seen, that, by the above simple arrangement, the bent spring serves the purpose of directing the hinged pin into the hollow of the hook, and also of firmly holding it, when lodged there, and that a secure fastening is afforded, prevent ing the breast pin from becoming detached and lost as readily as when it is secured by the ordinary fastening. It will also be seen, that, although I have described my improvement as applied to breast-pins, it is equally well adapted to other articles of jewelry, in which a hinged tongue is used.

I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

The permanent hook D and spring E, in combination with the hinged pin C of a breast pin or other article of jewelry, when the spring is so bent as to direct the pin,

when the latter is depressed, into the hol-` low of the hook, and when the spring and hook are otherwise arranged, in respect to each other, substantially as herein set forth.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this speciication in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

BENJ N. F. GRINNELL.

Witnesses R. D. VOODLAND, LEVI DARBEE, Jr. 

